Chase County Historical Society

301 Broadway
P.O. Box 375
Cottonwood Falls, KS 66845
Phone: (620) 273-8500

The building that houses the Chase County Historical Society Museum and Library is located at the corner of Broadway and Friend Streets. It is one of 9 places in Chase County which has been entered on the National Register of Historic Places, this building being entered on November 9, 1977. The two-story building, constructed of native stone, was built in 1882 and was originally used as the Chase County National Bank which continued in business until 1928. The building was used by several businesses in the years following. In 1976 it was purchased by the Chase County Historical Society for use as a museum, library and office. There are two floors of exhibits.

On March 31, 1931, the plane carrying famous football coach Knute Rockne and H.A. Christen, J.H. Happer, W.B. Miller, Charles A. Robrecht, Spencer G. Goldthwaite, Robert Frye and Jess Mathias, crashed near Bazaar in Chase County. losing all lives. There is a display of artifacts and original pictures from the crash site. Other pictures, data and newspaper accounts of that tragic day are also available in our library.

The schoolroom depicts school as it used be. Old school books, high school annuals and pictures are here.